Review: Our Soot Stained Heart #1
From Mad Cave Studios
A new series to check out from Mad Cave Studios with Our Soot Stained Heart #1.
Launching with a double-length first issue — 48 pages of story for just $6 — Our Soot Stained Heart delivers an epic opening chapter filled with heart, grit, and breathtaking steampunk spectacle.
The Coalition is a city of wonder in the deep north, but it is ruled by the cruel Governor Glass and his factory lords. Coal is the lifeline of the city, and for honest workers like young Peggy Stones, life can be hard because of the nefarious quota. To get extra coal at the end of the year, you must be bad, every day! Peggy’s life is thrown into chaos when she is imprisoned and sent into exile, which begins a harrowing journey to the ends of the world to find answers that could change the world!
From the minds of debut writer Joni Hägg and superstar artist Stipan Morian (20th Century Men), with colorist Rope Mann and Eisner-winning letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, comes the most thrilling steampunk adventure of the winter.
(W) Joni Hägg, Stipan Morian (A) Stipan Morian (C) Ropemann (L) Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Our Soot Stained Heart #1 was a fascinating dive into a genre I admittedly haven’t explored much — and what a strong introduction it was. Steampunk is always full of gears, smoke, and heavy machinery, but setting most of the action against a backdrop of snow and ice adds an extra layer of contrast that really makes this world stand out. The cold purity of the frozen wastes clashes powerfully against the grimy coal-soaked city, emphasising just how bleak and suffocating life under the ruling class truly is.
At the heart of the story lies a community oppressed by those in power — forced to toil endlessly and meet a quota of “being bad,” as if morality itself had been turned upside down. Peggy is a shining exception in all of this: a genuinely good person, hardworking and compassionate, who wants a better life. Her decision to join a group attempting to flee the city and petition a higher authority gives the narrative its central drive, setting her on a path full of peril and purpose.
What’s especially compelling is the way the story weaves through Peggy’s life. We don’t just see her in the present, trying to escape — we also witness her upbringing, her family, and the moments that shaped who she is. These glimpses into her past blend seamlessly with the tense present-day scenes out on the ice, helping us understand why this journey matters and what Peggy stands to lose.
The pacing of this first issue strikes a strong balance between action, backstory, and worldbuilding. We get enough setup to understand the stakes, enough character development to invest in Peggy’s future, and enough immediate danger to keep us turning the pages quickly.
Visually, the book is brilliant. The art has so much to tackle — stark landscapes, minimal but deadly wildlife, the frantic momentum of a train hurtling across the frozen terrain, and the tightly packed dread of a city choked by industry. The colouring elevates every moment, giving us a sensory jolt whether we’re shivering on the ice or crawling through smog-filled streets. It all comes together into a true visual feast.
This feels like the beginning of a grand quest in a world that is both harsh and wonderfully unique — one where we, as readers, will learn the rules and the mysteries step by step. I’m pleased to be stepping into this story right from the ground floor, eager to see where Peggy’s journey takes us next.
